%cbBridge Over Trouble Water and other San Francisco, CA Things to Do Tips

Golden Gate Bridge

by Ciambella , 3 more photos

Some bridge was born to be revered, and some to be loved. Some are painted with hideous colour, some with delicate hue. Some are used and abused, some adored and protected. Some live with mundane activities, some see many vicissitudes. Then some are blessed with such beauty and myth that fatal attraction can only be expected.

The Golden Gate Bridge belongs in that last category.

Golden Gate Bridge has been the site for more suicides than all the landmarks in the world combined. Three months after the bridge's opening ceremony in 1937, the first person jumped over the four-foot rail into the water, 220 ft below. Since that day, there is an average of two suicides per month. In 70 years of the bridge's history and over 1600 cases of jumpers, there are only 26 survivors.

Yet, for the number of people who have chosen it as a means to a final end, there are a far greater number who see the Golden Gate Bridge amidst the fog and sunlight and recognize that the bridge is a symbol of constancy and joy.

The building of the Golden Gate Bridge was one of the most revolutionary events of its time, especially so because so few people perished in the endeavor as compared to similar bridge-building attempts in the past. In addition, although it took a staggering amount of money
and creativity and persistence, the bridge was built to specifications -- built to last.

This is the city where Mr. Bennett left his heart, where I found my love, where Charles and I spent tons of our hard-earned money in many of our favourite shops, and where anyone can eat well no matter the depth of his or her pocket.

There are so many lauded aspirations and acclaimed activities that make San Francisco beautiful. It is heartbreaking to know that the two suicides each month who take a last view of this city see none of the hope and life that the city has to offer.

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Transamerica Pyramid: The Tall And Skinny Neighbour

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Updated by Ciambella

on Jun 15, 2007

Transamerica Pyramid

by Ciambella , 4 more photos

The tallest skyscraper in San Francisco, Transamerica Pyramid at 853 feet does not actually resemble a pyramid nor does it actually belong to Transamerica, at least not since 1999 when its ownership changed hand and Aegon became its new proprietor.

Since the tower is no longer accessible to the public, the only way to see the upper floors is from another tall skyscraper. We often had that opportunity each time we stayed at Mandarin Oriental Hotel where it seemed the only thing separated us and the tallest building in San Francisco is layers of transparent glass.

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Directions: Transamerica Pyramid is located in Financial District, between Clay Street, Montgomery Street, Sansome Street, and Washington Street.

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Cable Cars/Museum: The Icon Of The City

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Updated by Ciambella

on Jun 18, 2007

Cable car

by Ciambella , 4 more photos

The cable car in San Francisco is not just a limited form of transportation sometimes used by the locals, a must thing to do for the visitors, a great tourist attraction, and a ready source of income for the city's coffers. Much more than that, cable car is an important part of San Francisco history, its birth the definite mark of time when horse-drawn carriages ended and public cars began.

Over the 150 years since August 2, 1873, when the first cable car ran its course on Clay Street, cable cars have become the most vital and irrefutable icon of this hilly city on the Bay of San Francisco. One cannot think of San Francisco without an accompanied image of a double-ended car chugging down Hyde Street or huffing up Nob Hill.

The cars sprang back to life after being almost destroyed in the Great Earthquake, and the system continues to exist after multiple attempts from politicians and utility companies to end its function. The cars continued existence speaks volume on the tenacity of the residents in this city. The San Franciscan obstinacy was demonstrated repeatedly every time a bill was proposed to abolish the cable car system. The fascination with the little cars that could lies not just with tourists, but also in the hearts of many San Franciscans, old and young.

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Alcatraz: The Most Secure Prison In The World

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Updated by Ciambella

on Jun 18, 2007

Charles in an Alcatraz cell

by Ciambella , 2 more photos